Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Narrator: Suzanne Gutierrez
Series: Quinn & Costa #1
Published by Harlequin Audio, HarperAudio on February 4, 2020
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Length: 11 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple






An edgy female police detective....An ambitious FBI special agent....
Together they are at the heart of the ticking-clock investigation for a psychopathic serial killer. The bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for high-stakes suspense.
Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage.
Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous, if elusive, killer before he strikes again. But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before, because if they fail, one of their own will be next....
I have been wanting to read this author for awhile, so when this new Quinn & Costa series started it was a perfect opportunity. The mystery / thriller genre with a touch of romance is my jam right now too.
The Third to Die has the incredibly smart and capable, Kara Quinn, on leave from LAPD and back visiting her grandma near Spokane, Washington. She discovers a body while out on a run and is quickly sucked into the investigation with a new FBI team. It is believed to be a serial killer who kills in sets of three.
Kara had a rough and unusual childhood, ended up with her grandma. Her history has led to some emotional choices, along with being undercover, so she does not form relationships. She enjoys her independence and self reliance. In her undercover work, she is used to playing a role, and finds it comfortable to be someone else. But who it she?
Matt is the leader of a new FBI team who travels the county to help out smaller local law enforcement on more complicated cases. He isn’t fully staffed but his chosen profiler, worked on this serial killer on his last round 3 years ago. So it is easy for him to take the offered help of the competent Kara, who is bored with vacation.
The world-building and character development are excellent. These feel like real people, even those who are only in one scene. The excellent writing assists the world, the characters and the mystery plot. I love a police case investigation. This one is realistic with great efforts and strategy as well as dealing with the unexpected.
I really loved this. The pacing and suspense were handled well. I highly recommend this one. I am sad I don’t have information on when I can get the next one. In the meantime, I plan to dig into the author’s other series. I’m a big fan now.
Narration:
This was my first chance to listen to Suzanne Guterriez Fortin. I enjoyed her performance and feel it added to emotional response to the story. The male voices have a nice, husky timbre. The female voices are more normal. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
Rating Breakdown | |
---|---|
Plot | |
Writing | |
Characters | |
Narration (Audio) | |
Overall: | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
- Sunday Post – 16 February 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - February 16, 2025
- 🎧 Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis @stephanieburgis @stephanieburgis.bsky.social #AmandaLeighCobb@torbooks @torbooks.bsky.social @BrambleRomance @MacmillanAudio @macmillanaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks - February 15, 2025
- 🎧 Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett #HeatherFawcett @Pottell @DoddsAndEnds @DelReyBooks @penguinaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #LOVEAudiobooks - February 13, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER Friends
Wasn’t the heroine’s background just something? I read this as my first Allison Brennan too.
Yes, this was so well written. I loved this. I can’t find out anything yet about the next one but it is labelled as a series . YAY!
i love when i find a new author. this does sound like a perfect fit for me too
I totally loved it and now I am going to her back list.
As you know, I’ve been reading Brennan’s books in published order in anticipation of starting her Lucy Kincaid series since there’s so much character continuity leading up to those books. I will eventually get to this book and I’m so thrilled you loved it. Excellent review, Anne?
Thank you and thanks for the info. I already checked out the first of the backlist from the library. It seems to be one of the few which isn’t on audio.
This sounds so good! I’ve enjoyed some of her other books and I must jump on this series.
Yes. I loved this so much. I highly recommend it.
This seems like a good place to jump into reading Brennan and I love the premise of the book.
I think so and it is a really amazing read. I highly recommend it. Of course, everyone has different preferences, but this is my binge right now.
I love Allison Brennan’s writing, but Max Revere has been my favorite series by her. The audios are fantastic! I agree, Kara was awesome! Smart and badass and I can’t wait to see how she fits in with future installments.
I loved this so I am now working on the rest of her books. I can’t wait to read Max if you recommend it.